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Crime Mapping and its

Types
March 10, 2022 by Wilfredo Beralde

TYPES OF CRIME MAPPING

(1) Manual Pin Mapping
Wall maps have long been a simple and useful way to depict
crime incidents or hot spots. Many police departments still
have large maps tacked to the wall of the briefing
room with the most recent crimes represented by
pins. Although useful, manual wall maps, offer limited utility
because they are difficult to keep updated, keep accurate,
make easy to read, and can only display a limited amount of
data. (below is an example of manual pin mapping)

For example, although different colored pins could be used

to represent different types of crime, date and time of
incidents, the nature of incidents, and other information
cannot be displayed easily. In order to update a manual wall
map, for example, the pins must be removed each month.
Unless a photo or some other mechanism is used to record
the previous month’s map, the information illustrated on the
map is lost.

Thus, a comparison is difficult, if not impossible, from one

month to the next. Finally, the maps become unreadable
when they display large amounts of data because of the
numerous pins and/or holes.

(2) Computer Mapping

A computer map was been taken from an Internet mapping
program, where an address is entered and a map of
the surrounding area appears with a pin to locate the
address. Even though it is possible to zoom in and out of
this type of map, the geographic features (e.g., locations,
streets, parks) are static and cosmetic only.

In essence, a computer map is similar to a wall map, in that

the computer is used to place a point at a specific location
just as a person would put a pin on a wall map. Thus,
computer maps have limitations similar to wall maps. For
instance, when using map an address, clicking on a point will
not provide information behind that point, such as the
specific address. While visually appealing and easy to use,
computer mapping does not allow any more effective
analysis than manual pin mapping, although the advantage
is clear, because you can enlarge the image and view
a REAL-TIME view when given access .

(3) The Geographic Information

System (GIS)
A geographic information system (GIS) is a set of computer-
based tools that allow a person to modify, visualize, query,
and analyze geographic and tabular data.

A GIS is a powerful software tool that allows the user

to create anything from a simple point map to a three-
dimensional visualization of spatial or temporal data.
A GIS is different from manual pin maps and computer maps
in that it allows the analyst to view data behind the
geographic features, combine various features, manipulate
the data and maps, and perform statistical functions. There
are many different types of GIS programs, which include
desktop packages as well as a professional software

“Crime analysis mapping” is a term that has been used

for the past few years to refer to research analysis using GIS
in a law enforcement setting. The term crime analysis
mapping is used to describe this process because using a GIS
to analyze crime is not just the act of placing incidents on a
map but also of analysis. Consequently, “crime analysis
mapping” is the process of using a geographic information
system in combination with crime analysis techniques to
focus on the spatial context of criminal and other law
enforcement activity.

THE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

SYSTEM COMPONENT:
The following is a description of the major components of a
GIS, which include data representation, data features,
visualization, scale, and querying. Real-world data (like
illustration below – 6 data presentations) are represented by
one of four features in a GIS. They include:

[1] Point Feature Data

A point feature is a discrete location that is usually

depicted by a symbol or label. A point feature in the
geographic information system is analogous to a pin placed
on a paper wall map.

Different symbols are used to depict the location of crimes,

motor vehicle accidents, traffic signs, buildings, beat
stations, and cell phone towers. Depending on its use, it may
depict also hot spots, comfort zones, enemy locations, its
strengths, and the likes.

[2] Line Feature Data

A line feature is a geographic feature that can be

represented by a line or set of lines. This map shows how
different types of geographic features such as railways,
streets, and rivers can be represented by a line in a GIS.

Additional examples are streams, streets, power lines, bus

routes, student pathways, and lines depicting the distance
from a stolen to a recovered vehicle. Line features may also
include railways, large to small alleys, and pathways that can
be traversed by special means or by foot.

[3] Polygon Feature Data

A polygon feature is a multisided figure represented by

a closed set of lines.

It depicts the division of geographical areas or zones with

valuable interests in analyzing crimes. Other examples of
polygon features used in law enforcement would be patrol
areas, beats, neighborhoods, or jurisdictions. Polygon
features can represent areas as large as continents and as
small as buildings.

[4] Image Feature Data

An image feature is a vertical photo taken from a satellite or

a plane that is digitized and placed within the geographic
information system coordinate system so that there are x
and y coordinates associated with it. This image is an
example of an aerial photograph (Google Earth could be a
great example for this) that provides details of the streets,
buildings, and environmental features such as landscaping
are visible.

A photograph taken by spy planes is now almost obsolete for

a well-developed country when drones were developed.
Drones can provide a well-represented image feature if
available for police purposes, it could both present an aerial
or orthophotography of the place of interest.

End of CRIME MAPPING.

An independent course intended for proficiency in crime

mapping would be essential for a CRIME ANALYST whose
knowledge combination is information technology, statistics,
and crime analysis. They are the new breed of criminologists
that requires a combination of multi-disciplinal talent.

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